Ergonomics: Potential Solutions for Prevention

Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders: Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores

Examples of potential solutions for various concerns are located in the Implementing
Solutions section of these guidelines.

Address Reports of Injuries
The solutions recommended in these guidelines are intended to address factors
that are believed to be associated with MSDs in grocery stores. They are not
a guarantee against any future injury occurring. Grocery stores rarely have
on-site medical staff to care for injured or ill employees. Therefore, store
managers or other designated individuals should establish a procedure for receiving
reports of injuries and responding to them appropriately. Early intervention
is an effective method of handling potential injuries. Employees should report
injuries early so that action can be taken to address any potential job-related
issues. Medical treatment and possible work restrictions could be necessary,
but attention should be paid to addressing root problems early to avoid more
costly actions if injuries are left unaddressed (9, 10, 11).

OSHA's injury and illness recording and reporting regulation (29 CFR 1904)
requires employers to keep records of work-related injuries and illnesses. These
reports can help the retail grocery store identify problem areas and evaluate
ergonomic efforts. Federal and state laws prohibit discriminating against employees
who report a work related injury or illness. 29 U.S.C. 660(c)

Sometimes the muscle soreness employees experience when starting or returning
to a job can be confused with symptoms of MSD injuries. In most cases muscle
soreness from conditioning lasts only a few days. Temporary muscle soreness
occurs most often with new employees or workers who are returning to a job after
several weeks away. When the symptoms linger or gradually get worse, an MSD
may be developing.

Provide Training
Training is critical for employers and employees to safely use the solutions
identified in these guidelines. Training should be provided in a manner and
language that all employees can understand. There are many ways employers can
integrate ergonomics training into regular workplace activities, such as new
employee orientation or at staff, department, or shift meetings. There are also
many sources of training materials, including OSHA, trade associations, and
insurance companies. OSHA recommends training for grocery store employees that
provides:

 Knowledge of the work tasks that may lead to pain or injury;

 Understanding of the proper tools and work practices for tasks that
employees will be performing;

 The ability to recognize MSDs and their early indications;

 The advantages of addressing early indications of MSDs before serious
injury has developed; and

OSHA also recommends that management and supervisory staff who coordinate
and direct ergonomics efforts receive training to give them the knowledge to
effectively carry out their responsibilities. These designated staff members
will benefit from information and training that will allow them to:

 Appropriately use checklists and other tools to analyze tasks in the
grocery store;

 Address problems by selecting proper equipment and work practices;

 Identify the potential benefits of specific workplace changes;

 Help other workers implement solutions; and

 Assess the effectiveness of ergonomics efforts.

Grocery store employees will also benefit from refresher training to address
new developments in the workplace and to reinforce knowledge acquired in the
initial training.

Evaluate Progress
OSHA recommends that grocery stores evaluate the effectiveness of their ergonomic
efforts and follow-up on unresolved problems. Evaluation and follow-up help
sustain continuous improvement in reducing injuries and illnesses, track the
effectiveness of specific ergonomic solutions, identify new problems, and show
areas where further attention is needed. Grocery managers can use the same methods
they use to identify ergonomic concerns (such as OSHA 300 and 301 injury and
illness information, workers' compensation records, employee interviews, and
observation of workplace conditions) to evaluate progress (10, 11). Employers
can also keep a list of activities and improvements to track what has been accomplished
and provide data on the effectiveness of the initiatives.

How often an employer evaluates the program will vary by the size and complexity
of the facility. Management should revise the program in response to identified
deficiencies and communicate the results of the program evaluation and any program
revisions to employees.